T.I.P. | Make Them Curious —— A Message from Nancy

2018-10-30

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. – Clay P. Bedford

For the past few days, I’ve been trying to find what to write to you. This is my first article that I will be writing to the TIP Alumni groups. I’ve sent many articles to you in the past, but those have all been written by others. I found them by searching the internet. So, I went to the internet again for inspiration.

When I found the quote mentioned above, it reminded me of a teacher I met many years ago. Mrs. McIntyre (pronounced MAC-en-tire) taught me during my third grade in elementary school (in China this is primary school.) When I remember Mrs. McIntyre, I remember that she is the teacher who inspired me with a love for reading, especially for reading stories. This is what she did: At the end of every day she would read one chapter in a story. Each chapter ended with a cliff-hanger (a story, contest, or situation that is very exciting because what is going to happen next is not known.) So we had to wait for the next day to find out what happened in the next chapter. We were so curious about what would happen in the story that it was all we could talk about on our way home from school.

During that year in school, Mrs. McIntyre opened a new world to me. I wanted to know more. I wanted to read more. I learned that books could be a great source of adventure. I became so curious about the stories she was reading to us that I couldn’t wait until the next day. I went to our school’s library and borrowed the book she was reading to us.

I didn’t realize at the time, but I did just what Mrs. McIntyre wanted me to do. I accepted her teaching and her inspiration to become curious about what she was teaching so that I took the initiative to find out more on my own.

I want to encourage you to do that for your students. Engage them in learning so that they will want to know more. They will look outside of your class. Encourage them to do this. It is the best way to learn. They will never stop learning if they learn to find it for themselves.

Today I am a voracious (贪婪) reader. I still love to read stories. I find new worlds of adventure through books and reading. It is one of the best gifts ever given to me. Thank you Mrs. McIntyre.